Local man pleads not guilty to murder charge

March 20, 2013

Blackfoot resident Adan Adolfo Arroyo, 22, pleaded not guilty to murder in the first degree with an enhanced deadly weapon charge on Wednesday morning.
Via live stream feed, Arroyo appeared before Seventh Judicial District Judge Jon Shindurling at the Bonneville County Courthouse.
The maximum sentence Arroyo could face is death or life imprisonment on the murder I charge; the minimum sentence on the charge is 10 years incarceration and/or a $50,000 fine.
Arroyo could also be fined $5,000 compensatory on behalf of the victim.
The deadly weapon enhancement could carry an additional 15 years imprisonment.
Judge Shindurling set a pre-trial conference at 10 a.m. on July 31. Both the state and defense said they think the jury trial could go for about a week and one-half. The jury trial is set to begin at 1:30 p.m. on Aug. 12.
Addressing the attorneys, Judge Shindurling said, "The clock is moving here, gentleman, to get this done within the six-month speedy trial [timeframe]."
Defense attorney Justin Oleson argued for bail.
Under Rule 46 of the Idaho criminal rules, Oleson said, since this [case] has not yet been determined as a death penalty case, bond can be set for the defendant.
"He [Arroyo] grew up in Blackfoot," Oleson noted. "His family is [in Blackfoot].
The state has 60 days from Wednesday to declare this a capital case.
Bonneville County prosecuting attorney Bruce Pickett said the judge is not required to set bail. However, should the judge consider bail, Pickett recommended bail be set at $1 million.
Because of the seriousness of the crime and the safety of the public, Judge Shindurling said the defendant would be held without bail for the present time.
The state also filed a "notice of consumption." This applies when some items of clothing are destroyed when trying to acquire DNA evidence.
The defense objected.
"There are 12 items attached to this list," Oleson said. "The lab wants permission to consume all but one [item].
"The lab wants blanket consumption," he said. "The lab does not need to consume the evidence if they don't have to."
Judge Shindurling said it is reasonable to preserve most of the evidence, The defense will be given notice about the time and place when the testing is to be done.
Arroyo is accused in the shooting death of 21-year-old Kristy Aschliman.
Bonneville County deputies said Aschliman had been shot in the head. Investigators said four shots were fired. Aschliman's body was found at 5242 E. Lincoln Rd. on Jan. 19.